Fishing is improving daily as the water warms. The rock bass are beginning to bite fast and furious. The lake seems to be at least 2 weeks behind schedule. Typically, at this time of year, I go through 10-12 dozen nightcrawlers on a trip, but this year it’s significantly less, although I’m prepared for when it starts!
Walleye fishing remains the best bite on the lake. The fish are in Trinkes, Williams Bay, and Abbey Springs. Medium diving crankbaits, such as Smithwick Perfect 10s and large Rapalas, are producing most of the fish. Like always, the best chance to catch the fish is at night, midnight to 4 a.m., for those of you who call themselves night owls. Smallmouth bass are on the outside edge of the spawning flats. The best locations have been Cedar Point, Linn Pier, and Vista Del Lago. The best approach is to use Carolina rigging with 4-inch lizards or tubes. The best color is green pumpkin or root beer. The highest concentration of fish is in the 18-22 ft depth range.
Rock bass fishing is starting to show significant improvement. Most of the fish are in 12-15 ft of water. They have been biting on nightcrawlers, minnows, or any other available bait. The highest concentration of fish I’ve found is at Belvidere Park in Fontana. Largemouth bass have been biting in Trinkes, Geneva Bay, and by the beach in Fontana. They can be caught on Senkos or Chompers fished on a jig. The best depth is 6-8 feet of water. You want to look for sand pockets associated with weeds. As the fish complete their spawn, they’ll start to move deeper and position themselves on the weed line. We appear to be about 2 weeks away from that.
Good luck, and I hope to see you on the water. For guide parties, please call Dave Duwe at 262-
728-8063